Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent residents invited to have their say on the future of local health and care

Local people will be encouraged to have their say in the coming weeks, as the NHS and local councils launch a public conversation on health and social care services. If you’re interested in the future of local health and care services book a place at one of their listening events.

The Together We’re Better partnership is giving advance notice for listening events and roadshows being organised across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Patients, carers, staff and the wider public can share their experiences and views on what works well and what should be improved about health and social care locally.

Together We’re Better is a partnership of NHS and local government organisations working alongside Healthwatch and voluntary and community sector groups.

The 12-week public conversation will launch in the coming weeks and will build on the NHS Long Term Plan that was published in January 2019. Local conversations will focus on the following areas:

Simplifying the local urgent and emergency care system

Developing a new vision for health and care in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent that is focussed on high quality community based care centred on the citizen – this will include maternity services, mental health services and planned care (surgery and outpatients)

How the local health and care system can embrace and fully utilise new technology and ensure the buildings we deliver services from are fit for purpose

Reviewing the use and function of the community hospitals in South Staffordshire

Exploring what ‘integration of health and care services’ really means for local people

Identifying additional priorities that will deliver clinical and financial stability.

Listening events will be held across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent throughout June and July – so book a place early.

Staff will also be speaking to shoppers and members of the public at roadshows across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. To find your nearest roadshow visit Together We’re Better’s website at www.twbstaffsandstoke.org.uk.

In addition, people will be able to share their views by completing a survey, which will be available on Together We’re Better’s website when the public conversation officially launches.

Sir Neil McKay, Together We’re Better Independent Chair, said: “We know we need to think differently, be innovative and work together to change health and care services so that Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can become the healthiest places to live and work. We know this will take several years to achieve, and we need to involve local people in helping to shape that thinking.

“We will soon launch our 12-week conversation, which is an important opportunity for you to share your views and help shape the future of health and social care services. This is one of the biggest conversations ever organised across the county, involving all partners and many of our services – make your voice count.

“More information on how to take part will be shared in the coming weeks; in the meantime, we encourage people to book their place at one of our listening events today.”